American RestaurantRestaurantBar & GrillTavernBarSports BarPub
Rusty Bucket, located in Cincinnati, OH, is a casual neighborhood tavern serving high quality food and beverage in a "come as you are" setting. Scratch kitchens, fresh cocktails, and the perfect pour are our craft. Our associates are welcoming, and our hospitality naturally makes us the local hub where friends and family frequently gather to share in a good time. Join us for lunch, grab a drink during Happy Hour, bring the kids for dinner - there's a spot for everyone at Rusty Bucket!
Many customers praised the attentive and friendly service from various staff members, particularly highlighting servers like Crystal and Maggie.
Food Quality
Overall, the food received positive feedback, with specific mentions of dishes like buffalo chicken, fish and chips, and salmon being particularly well-received.
Cleanliness
Most reviews noted that the restaurant was clean and well-maintained, contributing to a pleasant dining experience.
Mixed Experiences
Some customers reported issues with food quality, such as over-salted fries and inconsistent service, indicating a need for improvement in these areas.
Atmosphere
The restaurant was described as a comfortable and inviting place, suitable for casual dining and gatherings.
DZ
Doug Zeller
Nov 7, 2025
5.0
Wonderful place to eat and hang out too.
MH
matthew harrison
Nov 5, 2025
5.0
Definitely fet the fried pickles 10/10. Service was great and the food was tasty
SR
Steve Riehle
Oct 19, 2025
5.0
We had a group of about 15 and Service was Great!!
MK
Mick Kowitz
Oct 5, 2025
5.0
Crystal our waitress was awesome. Good food and Crystal made the experience phenomenal. She is attentive, caring and anticipated our every need!
GE
Gary Elam
Sep 29, 2025
5.0
Beth our server at The Rookwood location was wonderful! We had our little dog Murphy in the car and because it was somewhat warm we were concerned even though we were parked right in front and eating outside where we could keep an eye on the vehicle. We mentioned this and she told us we could bring him in the patio with us. She even brought him cold water and fawned over him quite a bit. The buffalo chicken was amazing as usual, highly recommend this restaurant. Ask for Beth!
Frequently Asked Questions About Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern
Does the Rusty Bucket have a Happy Hour?
Yes! Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers special pricing on select items Monday through Friday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. Happy Hour offerings are not limited to the bar area, so guests can enjoy these specials anywhere in the restaurant or on the patio. The Rusty Bucket’s Happy Hour menu includes 1/2 off Apps, $12 Pizzas, $7 Juicy Lucy Burgers, and $1 off Beer, Wine & Cocktails.
Does the Rusty Bucket offer specialty cocktails?
Yes! The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers the perfect cocktail for everyone. The cocktail menu consists of the Cold Brew Martini, Rusty Bucket’s own version of an espresso martini, the Pine Fin, served on the rocks, as a martini, or as a cosmo, two cocktails on draft, the Draft Bucket Punch and the Draft Margarita, and many more delicious drinks. Features may change – to see the full, most current cocktail list.
Can the Rusty Bucket accommodate large parties?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers various private dining options across many of their locations. Seating ranges from 10 to 55 guests, dependent upon location, which includes the option of their 4-season, private dining patios. It’s best to call your local Rusty Bucket to discuss your plans and complete your reservation.
What kind of restaurant is the Rusty Bucket?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern is a casual American restaurant and tavern serving the highest quality of food and beverage in a “come as you are” setting. Whether you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary, or having a business dinner, the Rusty Bucket believes that every neighborhood deserves that go-to gathering place where craveable favorites, good conversations, and camaraderie are shared amongst friends and family. Everybody’s welcome, and some even say the Rusty Bucket is a grown-up place to bring the kids.
Does the Rusty Bucket offer Brunch?
No, the Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern does not offer a Brunch menu. Each location offers a lunch menu every day of the week. We recommend calling your local Rusty Bucket for hours of operation.
What’s the Rusty Bucket famous for?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern is famous for their great Happy Hour specials, offered Monday through Friday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm, where you can receive special pricing on select menu items, including 1/2 off Apps, $12 Pizzas, and more.Some of Rusty Bucket’s menu items that stand out include their Fish & Chips, Bucket Burger, and variety of Artisan Pizzas, which are handmade with dough that is made fresh daily. They also offer a range of handcrafted cocktails, as well as a robust beer list with a few local brewery collaborations from time to time.Rusty Bucket’s atmosphere is known to most as a go-to gathering place for any occasion. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, having a business dinner, or watching sports or indulging before or after a big game, it is the perfect place for everyone.
Is there patio seating?
Yes! Most Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern locations offer patio seating, dependent upon location, and some even offer four-season availability. We recommend calling your local Rusty Bucket for more details about these options.
Where’s the best place to park?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern offers free parking with a designated parking lot.
Are Reservations required?
Reservations are not required but they are recommended. The dining room can be particularly busy in the later part of the week. If OpenTable is showing no availability for your preferred day and time, we recommend calling your local Rusty Bucket.
Does the Rusty Bucket offer any fundraising options?
Yes! The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern has a program called Dine ‘n Donate. Any guests who are a part of an organization looking to raise funds can participate in the Dine ‘n Donate program. Guests can choose a date, Monday-Thursday, the Rusty Bucket will create a flyer, and supporters of the organization can dine in or order carryout any time during business hours on that chosen day. On that chosen date, anyone who presents the flyer will have 15% of net sales (food and soft beverages) donated to the organization. For more information or to fill out the Dine ‘n Donate request form.
Does the Rusty Bucket have any specials throughout the week?
Yes! The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers Daily Drink Features for every day of the week. These features include Monday Motivation- $5 Wheatley vodka all day long, Poppin’ Bottles Tuesday- 1/2 priced bottles of wine, Whiskey Wednesday- specially priced whiskeys, Punch Perfect Thursday- Bucket’s House Bucket Punch on draft by the glass or pitcher, Shaken Not Stirred Friday- specially priced Belvedere martinis, Pine Fin Cosmos & Pine Fin Martinis, Gary’s Famous Margarita Saturday- share a pitcher (or drink a glass yourself), and Bloody Sunday- specially priced Bloody Marys; choose from Not Spicy, Spicy or Stupid Spicy.
Does the Rusty Bucket have a loyalty program?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers the Bucket List, an exclusive subscriber list. When you join the Bucket List, you receive a Bucket full of benefits including being the first to know about happenings and new features at the Rusty Bucket, exclusive deals sent straight to your inbox, and a complimentary dessert during your birthday month! Join the Bucket List!
Does Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offer a Happy Hour?
Yes, Rusty Bucket offers Happy Hour specials Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, including half-price appetizers, $12 pizzas, $7 Juicy Lucy burgers, and discounts on beer, wine, and cocktails.
Are specialty cocktails available at Rusty Bucket?
Yes, Rusty Bucket features a cocktail menu with options such as the Cold Brew Martini, Pine Fin martini or cosmo, Draft Bucket Punch, Draft Margarita, and more. Offerings may vary by location.
Can Rusty Bucket accommodate large party bookings?
Yes, Rusty Bucket offers private dining options seating between 10 to 55 guests, including four-season private patios. It’s best to call the local Rusty Bucket to discuss reservations.
What type of dining experience does Rusty Bucket provide?
Rusty Bucket is a casual American restaurant and tavern offering high-quality food and drinks in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, suitable for occasions like birthdays, business dinners, or casual gatherings.
Is patio seating available at Rusty Bucket?
Yes, most locations have patio seating, with some offering four-season availability. Contact your local Rusty Bucket for specific details.
What are Rusty Bucket’s hours of operation?
Rusty Bucket is open Monday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Where can I park when visiting Rusty Bucket?
There is free parking available in Rusty Bucket’s designated parking lot for customers.
What nearby places can I visit before or after dining at Rusty Bucket?
Nearby, you can visit Starbucks for coffee, First Watch for brunch options, the Nike Factory Store for sportswear shopping, or the Rally House for sports apparel and gifts, all within walking distance to complement your visit.
Are there other dining options near Rusty Bucket?
Yes, nearby dining includes Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Don Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant, and Buca Di Beppo for pizza and Italian cuisine, offering various choices in the area.
How can nearby services be useful when visiting Rusty Bucket?
Nearby businesses like KarpeDiam (notary public), Discepoli Financial Planning, and health clinics provide convenient access to additional services you may need before or after your visit to Rusty Bucket.